Nashville comedian Nate Bargatze has achieved something many performers only dream of: becoming the highest-grossing stand-up comedian in the world while maintaining his reputation as “the nicest man in comedy.” Now, the 46-year-old clean comic is preparing for his biggest moment yet as host of the 77th Emmy Awards on September 14, 2025.
From Water Meter Reader to Emmy Host
The journey to television’s most prestigious awards show began in the most unlikely place. Nate Bargatze was working as a water meter reader in Mount Juliet, Tennessee, when he made a life-changing decision. Inspired by comedians on “The Bob & Tom Show,” he quit his secure job to pursue stand-up comedy alongside a fellow meter reader who shared the same dream.
“I had great benefits. I wasn’t the best at school, so this was a solid job you can have for the rest of your life,” Bargatze told Variety. However, his high school vision of performing at Chicago’s Zanies Comedy Club ultimately won out over job security.
The Emmy Announcement That Shocked Hollywood
CBS announced Bargatze as the Emmy host on April 16, 2025, catching many in the entertainment industry by surprise. The choice represents a departure from traditional celebrity hosts, instead selecting someone who built his career on relatability and clean humor.
“It’s a huge honor to be asked to host such an iconic awards show and I’m beyond excited to work with CBS to create a night that can be enjoyed by families around the world,” Bargatze said in his official statement.
Television Academy Chair Cris Abrego praised the selection, noting that “Nate is one of the hottest comics in the business with a remarkable and hilarious brand of comedy that deeply resonates with multi-generational audiences around the globe”.
Record-Breaking Comedy Success
Nate Bargatze’s selection as Emmy host comes at the peak of his career success. In 2024, he became the highest-grossing comedian in the world, earning $82.2 million from over 1.2 million tickets sold across 148 shows. This achievement set a new record for the largest one-year gross by a comedy performer in Billboard Boxscore history.
His success stems from a unique approach to comedy that avoids controversial topics, profanity, and divisive material. Instead, Bargatze focuses on observational humor about everyday life, his marriage to wife Laura, and his experiences as a father to 12-year-old daughter Harper.
The Power of Clean Comedy
What sets Nate Bargatze apart in today’s comedy landscape is his commitment to family-friendly material. The Atlantic dubbed him “The Nicest Man in Stand-Up,” a title he embraces rather than resents.
“I was fortunate to get tagged with ‘nicest guy in comedy’ and not something else,” Bargatze told People magazine. “It’s nice! I’m sure it could be many other things, so it’s a good one to get tagged with”.
His clean approach isn’t a marketing gimmick but a genuine reflection of his personality. “I never tried to market myself as a ‘clean comic’ as a sales tactic,” he explained. “It was just what I was doing. And I like that families can listen to me in the car, or I can see 10-year-olds at my shows”.
Saturday Night Live Success
Bargatze’s path to Emmy hosting was paved by his memorable appearances on Saturday Night Live. He hosted twice, in October 2023 and October 2024, with both performances earning critical acclaim.
His breakout moment came with the “Washington’s Dream” sketch, where he portrayed George Washington explaining America’s confusing system of measurements to Revolutionary War soldiers. The sketch became an instant classic, garnering over 17 million views on YouTube.
“I’d heard that John Mulaney, [Jimmy] Fallon, Pete Davidson, a bunch of SNL folks had been floating my name to Lorne for a while,” Bargatze revealed. “But then with the strike, they needed stand-up comedians to fill in, so I got the opportunity”.
Netflix Specials and Streaming Success
Nate Bargatze’s Netflix career has been equally impressive. His 2017 appearance on “The Standups” changed everything, significantly increasing attendance at his shows. He followed with hour-long specials including “The Tennessee Kid” (2019), “The Greatest Average American” (2021), and most recently “Your Friend, Nate Bargatze” (2024).
His 2021 special “The Greatest Average American” earned him a Grammy nomination for Best Comedy Album. The outdoor filming at Universal Studios Hollywood during the pandemic showcased his ability to adapt to challenging circumstances while maintaining his comedic edge.
Family Life and Personal Foundation
Behind Bargatze’s success stands his wife Laura, whom he married on October 13, 2006. They met while both working at an Applebee’s restaurant in Nashville, where Laura was a waitress and Nate was a host.
Laura, originally from Huntsville, Alabama, has been instrumental in Nate’s career development. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Middle Tennessee State University and has worked in marketing and corporate event planning.
Their daughter Harper, born July 8, 2012, frequently appears in Nate’s comedy material and has even introduced him at his Netflix specials with the same phrase: “Please welcome my daddy, Nate Bargatze!”.
The Nateland Podcast Empire
Beyond stand-up, Nate Bargatze has built a successful podcasting empire with “The Nateland Podcast,” which he co-hosts with comedians Brian Bates, Aaron Weber, and Dusty Slay. The podcast launched in 2020 and has become one of the most popular comedy podcasts, featuring discussions about everything from pop culture to personal experiences.
The podcast’s success led to the creation of Nateland Entertainment, Bargatze’s production company, which has expanded into developing television and film projects.
Literary Debut and Future Projects
In May 2025, Nate Bargatze released his first book, “Big Dumb Eyes: Stories from a Simpler Mind,” published by Grand Central Publishing. The memoir collection features stories about his childhood, career journey, and family life, written in his characteristic self-deprecating style.
Despite admitting he “doesn’t like to read books,” Bargatze included blank pages throughout the book to give readers breaks, demonstrating his commitment to audience consideration even in print.
Film Career and Hollywood Expansion
Bargatze’s entertainment empire continues growing with his first feature film role in “The Breadwinner,” set for release on March 13, 2026. He co-wrote the script with Dan Lagana and serves as executive producer, marking his transition from stand-up stages to Hollywood production.
The film represents his belief that he needed to create his own opportunities rather than rely on traditional auditions. “I was never great at auditioning for other people’s movies. So I kind of figured I would have to just make my own,” he explained.
Emmy Hosting Preparation and Nerves
As the Emmy ceremony approaches, Nate Bargatze has been candid about his nervousness. During an appearance on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” he admitted, “I’m nervous” about hosting the prestigious event.
When asked about his plans for the show, Bargatze said he would “rely on” Colbert’s experience and stick to his strengths. “I’m going to do what I do, I’m very self-deprecating and try and bring it inward. I want everybody to have a good time and try and make it a lively moment. I’ll make fun of me”.
Overcoming Personal Challenges
Nate Bargatze’s success story includes overcoming significant personal challenges. He has been open about his past struggles with alcohol, which he stopped drinking in 2018 after recognizing it could derail his career.
“I wasn’t able to drink like a regular person. I knew, ‘Alright, well, if I want to go to the level I want to go to, I have to get this out of my life or I’m not going to be able to get to that level,'” he reflected.
The Emmy Ceremony Details
The 77th Emmy Awards will take place on Sunday, September 14, 2025, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. The ceremony will air live on CBS at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and stream on Paramount+. Emmy nominations will be announced on July 15, 2025, with the Creative Arts Emmy Awards preceding the main ceremony on September 6 and 7.
A New Chapter in Entertainment
Nate Bargatze’s journey from Tennessee water meter reader to Emmy host represents more than personal success—it signals a shift in entertainment toward authentic, family-friendly content. His ability to sell out arenas while maintaining his values has proven that audiences hunger for comedy that brings people together rather than divides them.
As he prepares for television’s biggest night, Bargatze remains characteristically humble. “I hope to get out of the way and let the next wave of comedians come up,” he told Parade magazine. However, with his Emmy hosting debut and expanding entertainment empire, it’s clear that Nate Bargatze’s influence on comedy and television is just beginning.
The September 14 ceremony will mark a historic moment—the first time in recent memory that a primarily stand-up comedian with no major television or film background has hosted the Emmy Awards. For Bargatze, it represents the culmination of a career built on hard work, clean humor, and an unwavering commitment to entertaining families across America.
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